In this week’s New Yorker, Lauren Collins writes an amazing feature article about the elusive urban artist known only as “Banksy.” For those of you out of the loop, Banksy has become the most famous graffiti artist in the world, but has also remained completely anonymous in the process. His artwork is auctioned off at places like Christies, some selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars. No one knows what he looks like or where he lives. He has vowed to keep his identity a secret and never reveal his face.
But, as they say, you should never say never. Or, rather, I shouldn’t. What I mean is…I take it all back. It’s me.
I’M BANKSY.Â
There. I said it. I’m super tight at urban art. Get over it.Â
Me.
All me.
See what I did there? With the thing?
Me. Me. Me. I’m the fucking best.
Why now, you ask? Because it’s time, that’s why. The world should know me by my true self: Banksy. I am Banksy. It feels good just to type it.
So from now on, please make all Banksy-related checks out to me, Joe Mande. You can write “Banksy” in the memo section if you want. Thanks.
My fans are the best,
Joe “Banksy” Mande
P.S.: I just retired. As of right now. So, I’m not really going to make art again, like, ever. Sorry, I think it’s played out. But remember, if you see other Banksies from now on, just know that they are fraudulent and that I, Joe Mande, am the tightest stenciler ever and deserve a ton of money. Thanks again for all the support.
